Welcome to the AC Tropical Fish aquarium forum. Our aquarium forum is the place to discuss any aquarium related issue in a friendly environment. Our aquarium forum welcomes aquarists of all levels from beginners to experts. Please ask a question in the how to section of our forum or read the FAQ section if you have any questions. register to and become a part of our friendly aquarium forum community today.

Cycling with plants

0

I want my next tank to be planted. I'm looking at either a 20 or thirty gallon low tech plant setup. I'm doing all my research on lighting, CO2, substrate, plants and stock. I'm just confused as to cycling the tank. It will def be a fishless cycle. What I would like to know if I should cycle with or without plants? Not sure in that area. I read where folks have setup that tank and placed fish in right away. What do the experieced folks have to say? Thanks in advance!

I read where folks have setup that tank and placed fish in right away. What do the experieced folks have to say? Thanks in advance!

It would take a lot of fast-growing plants to avoid a cycle. Go ahead and add the plants right away. While plants do help, you're going to need to cycle the tank as if the plants aren't there. Again, unless there's a good amount of plants in there (like the tank in my avatar, also shown in my journal below), your nitrate reading shouldn't be affected too much. Sure it may not go as high as it would without the plants, but you'll still be able to see the nitrate rise as the nitrite goes away.

Just remember, ammonia and nitrates supply only nitrogen to the plants. You're still going to need to provide the other nutrients that plants require, through the proper fertilizers, because a new tank is pretty barren.

"next tank" implies that there's already an existing tank. In that case seeding from the existing filter will be quicker and easier.

Don't know how I missed this, but I had to tear down both my tanks before I left for Afghanistan. I won't start another tank until April 2014 when my time is up here. I just doing all my research prior plus I love reading the forums. Lot of good info to learn about the hobby.